2021/12/12 by Vincenzo Donofrio, Donofrio, Vincenzo, Meghan Kirk +1
Physics and Astronomy · #Planetary Science and Exploration #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life #physics.pop-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2112.06145
20 pages. Submitted to Mars Society Mars Colony Prize Competition "Design the First Human Settlement on Mars" on 30 March 2019
arxiv created 2021/12/12 · arxiv updated 2021/12/14
The implementation of a feasible colony on Mars has been discussed and analyzed for some time. It is noted that Mars offers all necessary in-situ resources to allow for self-sustainability, with the most efficient techniques and systems to produce water, food, metals, plastics, and other materials to be discussed. However, the solution to the economic viability of colonizing Mars is still in question. An initial mission is expected to cost upwards of hundreds of billions of dollars, which is generally the average to high end price settled on in most discussions, so it is necessary to generate an economic plan that requires a small fraction of this cost, as well as detailing exactly how quickly the colony can return on this investment and begin to profit. The focus of most topics will be split upon three general points in the population: one thousand, hundreds of thousands, and millions. Important decisions involving government and society will be discussed, as well as the need for an aesthetically pleasing colony. Additionally, our given scenario assumes that prior missions lacking human presence on the planet will take place, which will allow for the set-up of nuclear generators by way of robot and the continued robotic research that has taken place for decades. An in-depth discussion of the distribution of this source as well as any other form of power will still be necessary. We also can assume that irrigation water and fertilizers have been found on Mars. Furthermore, the expected costs of shipping goods from Earth to Mars and then from Mars to Earth will be 500 and 200 dollars per kg, respectively.